ABR DMP study plan

Derive the attenuation equation and compute transmitted intensity through two stacked materials

Calculate half-value layer and tenth-value layer from a measured attenuation curve

Explain how beam quality (kVp, added filtration, HVL) changes the x-ray spectrum and contrast

Distinguish photoelectric, Compton, and coherent interactions by energy and atomic number dependence

Describe how tube voltage, current, exposure time, and filtration each affect output and patient dose

Compute patient entrance air kerma from technique factors and output measurements

Explain detector response, DQE, and MTF and how they limit image quality

Relate noise, contrast-to-noise ratio, and dose to optimize a protocol

Explain radionuclide production routes (reactor, cyclotron, generator) and elute a generator conceptually

Calculate activity remaining after elapsed time using decay constants and half-life

Differentiate gamma camera components: collimator, scintillator, PMT array, and pulse-height analysis

Interpret a gamma spectrum and identify photopeak, Compton continuum, and scatter

Compute radiopharmaceutical dose using administered activity, uptake fraction, and S-values conceptually

Compare PET detector physics (coincidence detection, annihilation photon energy) with SPECT

Apply ALARA and time-distance-shielding to a nuclear medicine hot lab scenario

Calculate dose rate from a point source and required shielding thickness

Convert between exposure, air kerma, absorbed dose, and equivalent dose units

Apply inverse-square and attenuation corrections to compute barrier transmission factors

Explain occupational dose limits, ALARA, and the basis for public vs worker limits

Describe personal dosimetry types and their limitations

Map major organ systems and their radiographic projections on standard views

Relate anatomy to imaging modality selection for chest, abdomen, and musculoskeletal cases

Trace contrast flow through vascular and urinary structures

Identify anatomic landmarks used for patient positioning and shielding

Describe x-ray tube, generator, and detector QC tests and their acceptance criteria

Explain CT number calibration, uniformity, and resolution testing

Outline mammography and fluoroscopy QC requirements and frequency

Diagnose common artifacts by their physical cause

Synthesize cross-domain problems linking physics, dose, anatomy, and equipment

Complete timed mixed-domain practice sets under exam pacing

Review and correct all missed items from prior weeks

Build a final one-page summary of high-yield equations and limits